Assembling machine



Jan 6, 1931. B. M. BOGOSLOWSKY ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed March 28. 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet l fizz/0x701? Jorcb Mfiogoaiows/zy, 7/4175. I

Jan 6, 1931. B. M. BOGOSLOWSKY AS 5 EMBLING MACHI NE Filed Marbh 28, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan 1931. a. M. BOGOSLOWSKY 1,787,506

ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1927 9 $heets.-Sheet 3 Jan 1931. B. M. BOGOSLOWSKY 1,787,506

AS SEMBLING MACHINE w gw/xmy? Jan 6, 1931. B. M. BOGOSLOWSKY 1,737,505

ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 l 71656 5on5 A7 50g05/041/5/g Jan 6, 1931. B. M. BOGOSLOWSKY AS SEMBLING MACHINE 9 Shets-Sheet 6 Filed March 28, 1927 IIIL Jan 6, 1931. B. M. BOGOSLOWSKY 1,737,506

ASSEMBLING MACHINE I Filed March 28, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 W665: 50/15 lfiogwlaudg Jan 6, 1931. B. M. BoGosLowsKY ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Maine-55:

Jan 6, 1931. B. M. BoGosLowsKY AS SEMBLING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 [if/67% 11/502665 30m flfiogoalawa/g,

Patented Jan. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BORIS IBOGOSLOWSKY, OI! FERGUSON, MISSOURI, ASBIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE UNIVERSAL MATCH CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ASSEMBLING MACHINE Application filed March 28, 1927. Serial No. 178,970.

My. invention relates to a match book assembling machine.

My invention relates particularly to a machine for making a plurality of match books in a single operation and one in which the cover material is fed from a continuous roll thereto, and the match splints which have been previously prepared, are supplied in elongated strips of a size suflicient to form a plurality of individual match cards, and the cards are introduced onto the covers, in which position they are by subsequent operation enclosed within the covers, stapled, and

then deposited from one end of the machine.

Accordingly, my invention proceeds upon the principle of providing a conveyor which is driven by suitable mechanism to impart intermittent motion thereto, the path of movement being of an extent representing a predetermined number of match books whereby by each operative movement of the conveyor, a plurality of match books are subjected to a single operation of the machine simultaneously.

I also provide a means for cutting from a roll of continuously fed cover material, a strip of said material of a size sufiicient to form a predetermined number of match book covers, and subsequently cutting the strips so formed into the individual match book covers and by suitable guide mechanism, convey the individual covers from the position which they occupy after being cut from the single strip to a position wherein each is spaced from the next adjacent cover and all lie in the same plane in a manner to be introduced onto the conveyor above referred to.

I also provide a means for feeding a strip of match splints into a cutting device which forms therefrom a predetermined number of individual match cards which are introduced into a conveyor guide which moves the individual cards from the position which they will occupy after being cut from a single strip into the same plane and in spaced relation one from the other in a manner to be properly received on the book covers which have been previously introduced onto the conveyor. vThis operation is adjusted in synchronism with the feed of the covers and with the advance of the conveyor so that for each station or period of stop of the conveyor, a plurality of covers are introduced thereon and the covers thus positioned are moved with the conveyor to the next station where the cards are introduced thereon. latter position, the conveyor has been moved an extent sufiicient to present unfilled receiving means on the conveyor in proximity to the guide for the cover material in a manner to receive therefrom the next group of covers. From this it will be clearly understood that by the synchronous opera-tion of the parts that the entire machine operates through intermittent motion but that the conveyor operates to its maximum capacity at all times and th t In this 7 there is no lost motion through the provision veyor again proceeds to move through a predetermined distance during which time the covers are caused to engage folding guides which effect a wrapping of the cover strip around the splints in the manner of the completed book. The conveyor then proceeds to a fourth station where the predetermined num ber of books representing the unit being operated upon at a single station are each subjected to a stapling operation simultaneously. Subsequent to the staplinrr operation, the conveyor passes around a pulley or 'suitable means to return the conveyor to its path of operation at which time the completed books are caused to be cast from the conveyor and moved to a position where they will be available for packing or stacking as desired.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a machine of the type outlined in which the cover material is fed to the machine in a continuous strip, having been previously printed, perforated and treated in a manner to provide thereon a friction strip on one margin thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide in such a machine a means for permitting a strip of cover material to be fed from a roll at a continuous rate but intro- ICC v tion.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the above described type in which the strip of cover material is first cut into a small strip of prei'lctcrniined length, the length of which is sufiicient to form a predetermined number of individual match book covers, and is subsequently cutinto the individual match book covers and thence guided away by a conveyor.

Another object of my invention is to provide cutting means in a machine of the above described type, for operation in connection with a conveyor, for cutting the individual match book covers from a strip of predetermined length and conveying said covers to a position in which the covers are in the same plane but in spaced relation.

Another object of my invention is to provide means in a machine of the above described type in which individual match cards are cut from a strip of match splints of a length suilicient to form a ]n'cdetermined number of cards and thence conveying said cards from the position which they occupy at the time they are cut from said strip to a position where the individual cards are in the same plane and in spaced relation.

A further object of my invention is to first introduce onto a conveyor, individual match book covers, the conveyor being of a construction suitable to receive said covers in spaced relation with retaining means therebetween, and then subsequently at another station during the intermittent ad- Vance of the conveyor, to introduce individual match cards onto said covers and by subsequent advance of the conveyor cause the covers to wrap around and enclose the cards, and then staple and castthe books from the end of the conveyor. c

A further object of my invention is to provide a conveyor on which the spacing means and retaining means for the book covers are constructed to present a portion for engaging the individual match cards and which together with a second means for imposing a drag on said cards, act during the advance of the conveyor to center the cards properly "within the match book covers.

A further object of my invention is to provide suitable gearing, conveying elements, and mechanical movements for efi'ecting the desired operations and which when taken together compose a complete, eificient and simple assembling machine which is inexpensive in operation and makes for the production of a neater and more desirable match book, and also one which is capable of assembling a greater number of matches per unit of time than has heretofore been possible.

These and other objects are accomplished by means of the arrangement disclosed on the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a plan view of the assembling machine;

Figure 2 isan enlarged side elevation of the main frame construction which houses the main conveyor, disclosing the gearing connections for effecting the drive of the various parts;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation of the conveyor and pulley therefor at the end where the completed books are cast from the conveyor;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the conveyor, disclosing the formation of the positioning and retaining lugs;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the conveyor shown in Figure 4:;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional end view of the conveyor taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the plane of the machine as seen from the right hand side of Figure 1, the view showing the table, cutting knives and conveyor for cutting and feeding the individual match book covers onto the conveyor;

Figure 8 1s a cross sectional view in elevation of the part of the machine shown in Figure 7 and as taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a side elevation partially in cross section of the part of the machine for feeding the individual match cards onto the conveyor and as seen from the right hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is an enlarged plan view of the guiding table and cutting anvils for the match book covers and also represents the form of guide employed in connection with the cutting and guiding of the individual match cards;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the table and guide construction shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a similar view taken in cross section through one of the conveying slots; Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of the guiding table shown in Figure 10, taken on the line 13-13 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of the guide and cutting anvils as shown in Figure 10, taken on the line 14-14 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view of the guiding table showing the part of the guide through which the covers pass prior to their spreading operation and taken on the line 15-15 of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

F igure 1G is a cross sectional view of the guiding table showing the guides in position for accommodating the match book covers in their spread position and taken on the line 16-16 of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figures 17 and 18 are views similar to Figures and 16 respectively but are views of the match card conveyor as taken on the lines 17-l7 and 1818 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 19 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the main frame construction and conveyor at the point where the match book covers are introduced from the guide onto the conveyor;

Figures 20 to 23 inclusive represent detail cross sectional views taken through the main frame and conveyor track showing the successive steps of development of the match book, the showing in Figure 23 being taken at the location of the wire stitchers;

Figure 24 is an enlarged perspective view of the completed match book of the type formed on the assembling machine;

Figure 25 is an end view of the main frame and conveyor track disclosing the stitching machine and the drive mechanism for imparting an intermittent motion to the main conveyor;

Figure 26 is a side elevation of one end of the machine and of the view shown in Figure 25; and

Figure 27 shows the relationship of the main conveyor belt and frame in a modified form of my invention.

The various novel features of the inven-' tion will be apparent from the following description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that my invention embodies a main frame 30 which forms a relatively long and narrow conveyor housing mounted on suitable legs 31. At one end of the frame a suitable bearing 32 is provided for accommodating the shaft 33, on which shaft the pulley 34 is mounted. At opposite ends of the frame an elongated guideway 35 is positioned horizontally in a manner to accommodate the sliding block 36 which is held against lateral displacement by overhanging flange portion 37 secured by bolts or other suitable means to the side of the frame. Positioned in the sliding block is a suitable bearing 38 in which is mounted the shaft 39 which forms a pivot for a pulley 40 similar to the pulley 34 and for accommodating the opposite loop of the conveyor belt. The sliding block 36 is of a general U-shape and is provided with a cross web 41 with an opening 42 therethrough. through which is positioned the threaded shaft 43 having a hand wheel 44 mounted on one end thereof and having its inner end bear as at 45 on a stationary part of the frame, this construction providing an adjustable bearing for tightening the conveyor.

Positioned around the pulleys 34 and 40 is a steel ribbon conveyor belt 46 having a plurality of lugs ositioned on its upper and under surfaces. leferring to Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, the upper lugs'47 are provided with a centrally disposed groove 48 disposed in alignment in a direction longitudinally of the belt and with an undercut 49 to accommodate one edge of the match cover when introduced thereunder. The lugs are further provided with an inclined upper face 50 and an inclined step 51. Positioned on opposite sides of the grooves 48 are openings 52 to accommodate screws 53 which form means for holding the lugs on the steel ribbon. Positioned directly below each lug is a single tooth element 54 of a proper configuration to be received by the openings 55 in the pulleys, the tooth elements being bored as at 56 and threaded to receive the depending end of the screw 53. The screw passes through the upper lug and the steel ribbon and into the tooth portion 54 which acts as a nut to bind all of the parts in assembled relation.

Positioned longitudinally of the main frame is a shaft 57 mounted in suitable bearings 58 in the legs 31, which shaft is driven by means of a motor 59 and gear reduction unit 60 and chain and sprocket elements 61 and 62 respectively, the sprocket 62 being fixed to the shaft 57. Positioned at one end of the machine, as shown at the right hand end of Figure 2, is a beveled gear 63 fixed to the shaft 57 and in mesh with a second beveled gear 64 mounted on the shaft 65 which is in turn mounted in a bearing carried by the bracket 66. The bracket (36 is suitably secured to a table element 67 extending longitudinally of the machine and positioned 'through suitable openings 68 provided in legs 31 of the machine.

Referring now to Figures 25 and 26, it will be noted that the shaft 65 is having a wheel 69 provided with an eccentric bearing 70 on which is mounted the pitman 71. P0- sitioned on the side of the frame 30 is a suitable guide 72 secured as by bolts 73 thereto and provided with a vertical guideway 74 which is constructed to receive the rack element 75. The rack element is connected by a suitable pivot connection 76 at its lower end to the pitman 71 so that when the wheel 69 rotates by virtueof its being driven from shaft .57, the rack reciprocates in the guide way 74. On one side of the guide an opening 77 is provided through which opening a pur gear 78 projects in its mounted position in mesh with the rack 75. The spur gear 78 is loosely mounted on the shaft 33 but is provided projecting from its hub portion with a radial arm 79, the upper end of which has pivoted thereon a dog 80. Positioned concentrically with the spur gear 78 on the shaft 33 is a ratchet wheel 81 keyed to the shaft 33 so that rotary movement imparted to the ratchet wheel will drive the pulley 34 and the conveyor belt 46.

By this mechanism it can be readily understood that through a continuous rotation of the shaft 57, the spur gear 78 and the dog 80 are caused to oscillate through their driving connection with the rack 74 and pitman 71. The oscillation of the spur gear 78 is substantially 180 which causes the dog durlug movement in one direction of each oscillation, to engage one of the two teeth on the ratchet 81 and produce an intermittent drive for the conveyor belt. The distance which the conveyor belt advances is calculated to be that which will accommodate a predetermined number of match books intended to be operated upon at a single station during the advance of the machine. Mounted at the opposite end of the shaft 57, as shown at the extreme left hand side of Figure 2, is a hand wheel 82 by which the shaft 57 may be moved manually so that the machine may be moved slightly when the motor is cut ofl for pur poses of adjustment and for moving the belt a. distance less than that effected by the intermittent drive for any purposes desired.

Referring now particularly to Figures 7 and 19 to 23 inclusive, it will be noted that the upper portion of the frame is provided with a trackway for the conveyor which comprises a plate 83 having a groove 84 longitudinally disposed therein for accommodating the teeth 54 positioned on the under side of the conveyor belt 46.

Referring now to Figures 1, 7 and 8, it will be noted that I have provided a table 85 having one end positioned on and carried by the main frame 30 and its other end supported on legs 86. As shown in Figure 10, the table 85 is provided with a plurality of slots 87 which are in a definite spaced relation at one end of the table, as shown at the right hand side of the figure, and which diverge and continue in a straight path in greater spaced relation as shown at the left hand side of Figure 10. Mounted between each of the slots 87 and on the outside of the outermost slot are strips 88 of a particular configuration to form with the table element suitable guides to be hereinafter described. The guide strips 88 are held on the table 85 by suitable securing means such as screws 89. By referring to Figure 10, it will be noted that the guide strips extend to a position closely adjacent the end of the slots at the left hand end of the guide as shown in the figure, but that they terminate short of the slots 87 at the right hand end. At the point where the strips terminate and on opposite sides of the slots 87 are secured metallicplates 90 which form cutting anvils for the cutting elements to be later described. Positioned over the end of the slotted portion of the table, as shown at the right hand side of Figure 10. is a cover plate 91 which is pro vided with slots 92 and is'secured by suitable means such as screws 93 positioned through the slots 94 so as to permit of an adjustment of the plate 91.

By referring to Figure 13, it will be noted that the cover plate 91 is provided with rounded edges 95 extending in one direction and that plate 96 positioned under the cover plate 91 on the table 85 is likewise provided with rounded edges 97 in a manner to prevent any interference with sheet material being introduced between the plate 91 and the plate 96 in space 98 provided therein:- tween.

The anvil plates 90 above referred to will be better understood'by referring to Figure 14 where it will be noted that they are provided with an undercut groove 99 at one lower corner thereof, and also that adjacent plates are positioned in opposite directions with their back faces lying closely adjacent one of the slots 87. The anvils in this position form five groups of two plates each, each group serving as a table of the width equal to that of the width of the strip of cover material, and each group being spaced apart a distance equal to the widih of the table or the width of the strip of material forming a single match book cover. The spacing of the anvils is for the purpose of causing a displacing of alternate book covers during the cutting operation from a single strip by the action of the cutting knives 100, which are constructed to reciprocate through suitable mechanism to be hereinafter described, alternate knives of which are mounted in reverse position so that the two knives fit between adjacent groups of anvil plates and co-act with the faces of the anvil in a manner to displace the cut strip 101 downwardly and leave the next adjacent strip 102 positioned above on the table formed by adjacent groups of anvil plates.

The guide strips 88 will be better understood by referring to Figures 15 and 16 where it will be noted that they are positioned in reverse directions and are provided with laterally cut-out portion 103 projecting inwardly from the upper edge thereof and 104 projecting inwardly from the lower edge thereof. The strips are equally spaced and are positioned between the slots 87. Mounted on the upper face of each is a strip 105 adapted to overlie the cut-out portion 103 so as to form with the cut-out portion 103, a slit which forms a complementary member with the slit of the next adjacent guide strip positioned in the reverse direction. The strips 105 may be secured by means of screws 89. as shown. The bottom slits 104 co-act with the top of the table plate 85 to form complementary slits with the slits in the next adjacent strip to accommodate a strip of cover material 101 which is displaced downwardly in the cutting operation. Attention is directed to the guide strips 88' positioned at the extreme sides which are of slightly different configuration due to the fact that they are on the sides and not between the slots 87 Referring now to Figures 10 and 16, it will be noted that the guide strips88, the cut-out portions 103 and 104 and the overlying plates 105 are of slightly different formation with the result that the strips have been deflected to assume positions in greater spaced relation and'that the cut-out portion 103 does not overlie the cut-out portion 104 so that material guided in the guide grooves provided for the covers will eventually become spaced in its course of travel through the guide strips. Referring particularly to Figure 11, it will be noted that a step 106 is provided at one end of theguide strip, located in a position in the guide in which the strips have assumed their full spaced relation. This step represents a termination of the portions designated 107 of the guide strips shown in Figure 16 so that after the strips have been fully spaced,

the upper strip is permitted to drop down and assume a position in the same horizontal plane as strips 101. From this position on, the strips are advanced to a position on the conveyor belt at which time they are carried by the belt in a direction transverse to the table 85.

From Figures 1, 2 and 7, it will be noted that I have provided a bracket 108 on the table 67 in which is a bearing for receiving the shaft 109. Mounted on the shaft 109 is the beveled gear 110 in mesh with the beveled gear 111 keyed to the shaft 57. Mounted on the outer end of the shaft 109is a wheel 112 of the same general structure as wheel 69 above described and shown in Figure 25. The wheel 112 is provided with an eccentric bearing 113 on which is mounted the pitman 114 connected as at 115 to reciprocate the rack 116. The rackis mounted in a suitable guide carried on the side of the frame 30 and has its pivoted portion extendingin a direction transverse to the longitudinal line of the main frame 30 and in mesh with a spur gear 117 loosely mounted on the shaft 118.- As will be seen in Figure 1, the shaft 118 is carried in a suitable bearing bracket 119 mounted on the side of the main frame 30. The spur gear 117 is provided with a radial arm 120 having a dog 121 pivoted thereon in engagement with a ratchet wheel 122 of the same general configuration as that of the ratchet 81 shown in Figure 6. This mechanism operates to produce an intermittent drive to the shaft 118 which as shown in Figure 7 serves as the drive for a conveyor finger chain 123. The conveyor finger chain 123 comprises a pair of spaced driving chains 124 which are in mesh with a spur gear 125 carried on the shaft 118 and which run over pulleys 126 and 127. The pulley 127 is carried on the shaft 128 which is in turn mounted in a depending bracket 129 carried on the under side of the table 85. Depending from the under side of the table 85 are a pair of brackets 130 which form a support for a pair of guide drives 131 upwardly through the slots 87 in the table any desired extent. By referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that the conveyor finger chains 124 are in spaced relation on opposite sides of the table and carry thereon suitable brackets 132 which form mountings for the opposite ends of non-circular bars 133 which extend therebetween. Mounted on the bars are a plurality of finger elements 134 which have T-shaped ends 135 with transverse openings therethrough of the same configuration as the bar 133 so that they will be maintained non-rotatably on the bar 133. The aggregate overall dimension of the T-shaped portions 135 is less than the length of the bar 133 between the brackets 132 carried by the chains and consequently, lateral play is provided for the fingers along the bar. Positioned adjacent the spur gear 127, as seen at the right hand side of Figure 7, are guide plates 136 which present cam faces 137, as seen in Figure 8, for causing the fingers in their path of travel in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figure 7, to be forced inwardly to a central position so that they will be properly positioned to register with and pro] ect up through the slots 87 provided in the table 85. It will be noted that the length of the fingers 134 is suflicient to extend up through the slots 87 and present a portion which will engage sheet material introduced between the plates91 and 98, as seen in Figure 8.

Disposed intermediate the length of the table 85 is a depending bracket 138 having a slotted end 139 in which is mounted an adjustable bearing block 140. Mounted in the block is a shaft 141 on which are mounted a plurality of separate idler gears 142 in mesh with the conveyor finger chain 124'. The block is provided with a swivel connection 143 and a threaded bolt 144 and an adjusting nut 145 whereby the bearing may, through manual adjustment, be adjusted vertically upwardly and downwardly to tighten the conveyor finger chain 124. From this construction, it can be understood that sheet material introduced into the conveyor between the plates 91 and 98 from the feeding material to be hereinafter described and which is subsequently cut into individual book covers, will be conveyed by the fingers through the diverging guiding strips and caused to assume a position in spaced relation in the same plane, and eventually introduced between the lugs on the conveyor belt.

By referring to Figure 19, it will be noted that the guide track plate 83 at the portion where the cover strips are introduced onto the conveyor, is cut away as at 146 to accommodate the fingers 134 so that they will not release the cover strips until they are positioned in the desired manner between the Referring to Figures 2 and 7, it will be noted that I'have provided a sprocket 152 ,on the shaft 57 on which there is mounted a sprocket chain 153 which is in driving mesh with a second sprocket 154. The sprocket 154 is carried on the shaft 155 which is mounted under the table 85 by means of a bracket 156 projecting inwardly from the legs 86 and the supporting beam 157 attached by suitable bolts 158 to the table 67 carried by the legs 31. Mounted on the shaft 155 in a manner to rotate therewith is a cam 159 which cam has a configuration suitable to impart the desired reciprocatory movement to the sliding beam 160. The beam 160 is provided with a yoke shaped end which straddles the shaft 155 and is adapted to closely engage a block element pivoted on the shaft 155. The lower end of the yoke is provided with a cross plate 161 and the yoke slot is provided with springs on either side of-the block positioned therein in a manner to keep the sliding block 160 resiliently centered in lifted position. The cross bar 161 carries an anti-friction roller 162 adapted for anti-friction engagement with the cam surface 159. The cam surface 159 cooperates with the cam to cause a reciprocation thereof, the cam effecting a downward movement and the spring acting to restore it to its lifted position. It is to be understood that the sliding beam construction is provided on both sides of the table 85 and that the upper ends of the sliding beams are connected by a cross beam 163 attached to the ends of the beam 160 by suitable bolts 164. Carried by the upper ends of the beams 160 is a shaft 165 mounted in suitable bearings and extending from one beam 160 to the other beam 160 positioned on opposite sides of the table 85. Carried by the table 85 at opposite sides thereof are brackets 166 secured by suitable bolts 167 and provided with lugs 168 which are perforated to form bearings for the shaft 169. Pivotally mounted on the shaft 169 are a plurality of cutting elements 170 having cutting blades 171, the outer ends of which are mounted on shaft 165 with a provision for sliding movement whereby the reciprocation of the beams 160 and shaft 165 will cause the cutting blades to oscillate around their pivot 169 in a manner to cut material placed thereunder. On the other side of the beam 160 and at the side of the table 85 at which the paper is introduced, is an upstanding bracket 172 provided with an operating shaft 173 on which is mounted a single cutting element 174 provided with a cutting blade 175 positioned thereon and secured in an adjustable manner, as by means of the bolt and slot shown at 176. The inner end of the cutting element 174 is also mounted on provision for sliding movement whereby the cutting blade 17 5 is adapted to cut material introduced thereunder during the reciprocatory movement of the beam 160.

Referring to Figures 1 and 8, it will be noted that I have provided a feeding mechanism for supplying the strip material from which the match book covers are formed to the assembling machine. Part of the feeding mechanism is mounted on the legs 86 which form a support for the guide table 85 and part is mounted on an independentstand 177. Mounted on the legs 86 is a bracket 178 in which is mounted a shaft 17 9 which is driven by means of a pair of beveled gears 180 and 181 from the main power shaft 57. The end of the shaft 179 which lies adjacent the main power shaft is supported in a bracket 182 carried on the table 67. Keyed to the shaft 179 is a sprocket 183 which has a sprocket chain 184 in engagement therewith for driving a second sprocket 185 mounted on the stand 177 and which is fixed to the shaft 186. Carried on the upper portion of the stand 177 is a bracket 187 having bearings 188 in which is mounted a feed roll 189 which is in peripheral contact with a second feed roll 190. The stand 177 is also provided with a guide plate 191 which has a curved end and is adapted to form a guiding table for the strip of cover material in a manner to introduce it between the feed rolls 189 and 190. Positioned at the lower end of the stand is a bearing lug 192 which is adapted to receive the spindle 193 on which is mounted the roll of material 194 of cover paper. The cover paper has been previously printed with the individual book covers running transverse to the length thereof and also is provided with perforations placed therein at the time of printing and in a manner to subsequently effect a registration for cutting the individual cover pieces in registry with the printed matter. On one margin of the cover strip a strip of friction surface material on which matches are scratched for lighting purposes has been placed by av previous operation so that the cover is ready to be wrapped around the strips to form the completed book prior to its introduction to the assembling machine.

The web of cover material shown at 195 is fed through the feed rolls 189 and 190 in the manner shown at a continuous rate and the shaft 165 with a is then caused to loop downwardly in a slack manner as shown at 196. This loop is provided for the purpose of accommodating .the different-manners of feeding between the feed rolls 189 and 190 which is continuous, and the feeding of the assembling machine which is by intermittent motion. Mounted on the shaft 179 is a cam element 197 adapted to rotate therewith, the surface of which is of a configuration suitable to impart a reciprocatory motion to the drive mechanism for feeding the strip material to the assembling machine. Positioned adjacent the cam 197 is the slotted bar 198 which straddles the shaft 179 for purposes of guiding and is provided at its opposite ends with anti-friction rollers 199 and 200 in engagement at points diametrically opposite on the cam roller. Pivoted to the upper end of the slotted bar 198 is a pitman 201 which is connected to a rack 202, shown in Figure 1, which comprises a spur gear 203 and pawl and ratchet 204 in the same manner as that described in connection with the drive for the main conveyor and shown in Figure 26. The rachet 204 is keyed to the shaft 205 on which is mounted the feed drum 206, the feed drum being provided with projections 207 for fitting through the perforations provided in the cover strip material in a maner to effect registration between the printed surface and the cutting blades.

The shaft 205 and the drive mechanism is carried in a bracket 208 provided on the side of the lug 86 which supports one end of the guide and cutting table. A curved guide element 209 is provided attached to the bracket in the manner shown in Figure 8 so that the strip material from the loop 196 will be properly fed to the drum 206. A plurality of guide wheels 210 which are held by a suitable frame structure 211 are mounted in a position to accommodate the flexible belt 212 which is trained thereabout and to cause the belt to closely engage the strip material through a substantial portion of the are around the feeding drum 206. From the upper portion of the drum, the strip material is fed off at a tangent through the guide strips 213 in between the plates 91 and 98 of the guiding table. Attention is directed to the fact that the plate 91 and the upper guide plate 213 are slightly elevated for the purpose of providing sufiiclent clearance therebetween to accommodate the strip of material.

Positioned on the opposite side of the main frame 30 from that on which the guiding table 85 for the cover strips is mounted, is mounted a second guiding table 214 provided with guiding strips 215 thereon for purposes of cutting and guiding match cards onto the cover strips previously positioned on the conveyor. Referring to Figure 9, it will be noted that the table 214 is supported at one end as at 216 on an edge of the niain frame 30 and that its opposite end is carried by legs 217. Depending from the under surface of the table are a pair of brackets 218 and 219 carrying the shafts 220 and 221 and sprockets 222 and223 respectively. Trained around the sprockets is a finger conveyor chain 224 having a plurality of fingers 225 carried therebetween on sliding bars in the same manner as that shown in Figure 8 and described in connection with the feeding mechanism for the cover strip guide. table 214 is also provided with brackets 226 and 227 carrying the guide bar 228 for supporting the upper run of the conveyor chain and which may be varied in elevation by placing or moving shims under the supporting. brackets. It is desirable in this instance to have the conveyor fingers 225 gradually let go of the cards which they are conveying as they'approach that end of the table adjacent the main conveyor frame 30 therefore it will be noted that the shaft 220 is slightly lower than the shaft 221 and that to accommodate this difference in elevation, a bracket 229 is mounted on the under side of the table which carries the shaft 230 and idler sprocket 231.

Mounted on the upper side of the table at the right hand end, as shown in Figure 9, are a pair of brackets 232 in which are mounted three Shafts 233, 234 and 235. Fixed to .the shafts 233 and 234 are sprockets on which are positioned the sprocket chains 236 having fingers 237 carried thereon. A spur gear 238 is keyed to the shaft 233 and is in mesh with a second spur gear 239 which is driven by means of a sprocket chain 240 in mesh with a sprocket keyed to the shaft 220. In order to maintain the sprocket chain 236 taut, a guideway 241 is provided in the bracket 232 in which is mounted a sliding bearing 242 carrying the shaft 243, the shaft having an idler carried thereon in engagement with the chain and the block being capable of adjustment by a swivel bolt and nut 244 and 245.

Depending from an intermediate portion of the table 214 is a slotted bracket 246 having a sliding bearing 247 therein which serves as a mounting for an idlersprocket 248 in engagement with conveyor finger chain 224 and which serves as a tightening element to maintain the conveyor finger chain taut in operation. Mounted on opposite sides on the upper surface of the table 214 in an intermediate portion of its length are cylindrical upstanding guide'rods 249 each with an enlarged up per end 250 and on which is mounted a sliding cross bar 251. Depending from the cross bar 251 are a plurality of cutting elements 252 which are reciprocated by suitable mechanism to effect a cutting action of the strips of matches to form individual match cards therefrom. The cutting anvils provided on the strip guides 215 are similar to those de- The scribed in connection with the guide table for the match covers, and the relationship of the cutting blades to the anvil is also the same, the operation being in bothcases that alternate elements cut from the strip are displaced downwardly so as to provide an initial vertical spacing between adjacent pieces.

Spring fingers 253 are mounted on the blocks 254 and. are positioned in a lnanner to hold the strips of match splints at the time they are being cut. Connected to the sliding cross bar 251 is a pitman 255 pivoted on the eccentric pin 256 carried on the sprocket 257. The sprocket is mounted on a shaft 258 carried in a bracket 259 depending from the under side of the table and the sprocket is driven by a sprocket chain 260 from the sprocket 261 mounted on the main driving shaft 57. Attention is called to the fact that cam or guiding elements 262 are provided closely adjacent the sprocket 223 in a manner to engage the fingers 225 to cause them to centralize on their supporting bars and to thereby be in registering position with the slots provided in the guiding table 214. The cam 262 is identical in principle and structure to that shown at 136 in Figure 7 and previously described. The track plate 83 at the point where the match cards are introduced into the conveyor is shown in cross section in Figure 9 and has mounted thereon a cover plate 263 with an undercut 264 to accommodate the cover strip and also with an end portion 265 forming an abutment against which the match cards engage to limit their movement onto the conveyor. The cover plate is provided with lugs 266 on which are pivoted slotted plates 267 which are adapted to overlie the match cards and cause them to assume a proper position on the cover strip, it being 'noted that the slots in the plate 267 have a beveled edge 268 to permit the fingers 237 to pass therebetwecn in their course of travel on the chain 236.

The drive for the shaft 220 for operating the conveyors for feeding the match cards is provided. as shown in Figure 1, from the shaft 118, a second shaft 269 being mounted through the main frame 30 and having a beveled gear 270 in mesh with a beveled gear 271 carried on the shaft 118 and at its opposite end with a beveled gear 272 in mesh with a beveled gear 273 mounted on the end of the shaft 220. As above described, the shaft 118 has an intermittent motion and consequently, the conveyor mechanism in connection with the feed for the match cards will likewise have an intermittent motion and one which is in synchronism with the feed for the cover strips. As seen in Figure 1, a pluralityof brackets 274 are provided on the main frame 30 which carry the bar 275 positioned on edge, as shown in Figure 21, in a manner to tit within the longitudinal slots 48 provided on the conveyor belt. The

bars 275 are mounted by suitable springs on the brackets 274 to permit an upward yielding of the bar in engagement with the splints as they pass thereunder, the bar further having a curved edge at the point where the splints first engage therewith so that the splints will be caused to pass thereunder without interference; The track plate at a position at the immediate right hand side of the guiding table for the match cards as shown in Figure 1, is provided with an opening on each side of the conveyor track in which are placed spring fingers 276 which, as shown in Figure 21, engage the ends of the cover strip to cause the cover strip to lie flat in its course of travel. A spring pressed plate 268 is also provided, positioned in a manner to engage the heads of the match cards to cause them to maintain a maximum introduced position on the conveyor, the plate 268 being slightly inclined to cause a proper introduction and wedging of the match cards therebetween.

On opposite sides of the conveyor and mounted on the main conveyor frame are guiding plates 277 and 278 attached by bolts 27 9 and provided with curved flanges which are adapted to receive the opposite ends of the cover cards projecting from the opposite sides of the match splint, as shown in Figure 21, and fold them over the match cards in the manner shown in Figure 2, the curves being of such configuration relative to each other that the longest flap is seated first and the shorter flap is folded over on top of the end of the longer flap. At this point, the main frame is provided with a guiding cover plate 280 as shown in Figure 23, which entirely surrounds the match book and which is provided with an opening 281 in a position directly beneath the stitching mechanism designated generally at 282. The stitching mechanism employed in connection with this machine is of a conventional type and the specific details thereof do not constitute a part of this invention; therefore, it is represented only diagrammatically. The feature of concern in connection with this invention is that a battery of stitchers be provided for simultaneous operation so that the predetermined number of match books introduced into the conveyor at one station may be stapled in one operation, the stitching machine 282 being provided with the individual stitchers 283 as shown in Figure 2. The match book when it is completed appears in the form shown in Figure 24, and when thus completed is carried by the conveyor belt to the point shown in Figure 3 where the conveyor belt passes around the sprocket 46.

Mounted on the end of the main frame 30 are a pair of fingers 284 which lie closely adjacent the belt on its opposite sides in a manner to engage the match books and to effect a removal thereof from the lugs on the belt.

At this point, the matches are deposited on a table or any suitable means from which they may be collected and stacked or packed "as, desired.

Attention is directed particularly to Figure 3 where it will be noted that a detent 285 is bolted as at 286 to the main frame 30 and which comprises a screw-threaded chamber 287 forming a housing for the spring 288 and ball detent 289. The ball detent is in engagement with a small wheel 290 in which depressions 291 are provided at diametrioally opposite positions. The purpose of this detent is to form a yielding locking means for the mechanism in its stationary positions whereby overrunning due to inertia is prevented. Similar detents are provided for the feeding mechanism as shown at 292 in Figure 8 and also at 293 in Figure 2.

The drive for the stitching machine is provided by means of-a sprocket 294 mounted on the shaft 295 extending from one side of the stitching apparatus, which sprocket is in mesh with a sprocket chain 296 which is driven by a second sprocket 297 carried on the shaft 298. The shaft 298 is mounted in bearings provided in the bracket 299 mounted on the table 67 and is driven from the main shaft 57 by means of beveled gears 300 and 301. The stitching machine is carried on an independent stand 302 on which is mounted an idler sprocket 303 for maintaining the sprocket chain 296 taut in operation.

Referring to Figures 17 and 18, as described above they correspond to Figure 15 and 16 except that the dimensions are such as to accommodate the match cards instead of the match strips. The corresponding portions are designated by the same numbers with a prime thereafter.

In operation, the strip of cover material is supplied in a roll as shown at 194 on a spindle carried by the stand 177 and is fed between the rolls 189 and 190 at a continuous rate, and is so positioned between the feed rolls and the feed drum 206 on the assembling machine that a loop of material 196 is provided. The strip is then fed to the assembling machine by means of its engagement with drum 206 having means penetrating the perforations provided in the material, by first passing through the guide 109 over the roll 106 and then in the opening between the feed plates 213 and plates 91 and 98. In view of the fact that all the mechanism is run from a common source of power, all of the parts throughout the entire machine will operate in synchronism. Consequently, when a strip of material has been introduced between the plates 91 and 98 an extent sutficient to bring the end thereof in abutment with the flat end of the slit provided, the reciprocating knife 175, shown in Figure 7, is caused to move downwardly and sever the strip of material intoa strip of predetermined length. At this point, one set of fingers 134 which rotate in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 7, engage the strip and move it to a position directly underlying the reciprocating knives 170, at which time they are permitted to remain stationary for a period, at which station they are cut by knives into a purality of individual book covers. During this reciprocation of the knives, attention is called to the fact that the blade 175 again severs from the continuous strip, a strip of predetermined length which follows immediately behind the first cut strip and issubjected to the various operations successively with the first strip.

By referring to Figure 14, it will be noted that during the cutting operation alternate book covers designated 101 will be displaced downwardly, at which time they will assume a position in a guide slot separated from the remaining covers 102 positioned above on the anvil strips. The fingers 134 continue through intermittent motion to advance the cut strips through the guide, during which course of travel they are caused to be spread to a point where the upper covers are permitted to drop down the step 106, shown in Figure 11, after which time all the covers will be on the same horizontal plane.

The next period of travelof the fingers will introduce the covers onto the main conveyor belt, as shown in Figure 19, after which time the fingers 134 are caused to pass beneath the cover strips and release their hold thereon. During the period of introduction of the cover strips onto the main conveyor belt, the main conveyor belt which also moves by intermittent motion is at a period of rest but immediately upon receiving the covers, which may be of any predetermined number, the conveyor belt advances an extent sufficient to bring the last cover to a position a distance equal to the distance between the lugs on the conveyor belt beyond the point of introduction of the first cover. In this new position, the conveyor then remains stationary for a period and is positioned in a manner to receive match cards introduced from the match card guiding table 214 positioned on the opposite side of the main frame. The match cards are originally introduced in the form of strips, two strips being introduced between each group of fingers, one on top of the other, in a manner to be conveyed by the fingers to a position beneath the cutting knives 252. It is to be understood that this operation may be accomplished by means of a hopper or any other suitable means positioned on the left hand end of the guide table 214, as shown in Figure 9, in such a case it merely being necessary to provide openings in the bottom of the hopper of sufficient extent to permit the upper edge of the fingers to contact and remove two strips of splints positioned one on top of v the other.

It is perfectly obvious that this may also be done by an operation starting at this position of the machine. In any event, the strips of splints are introduced below the cutters, at which point they are cut into individual cards in the same manner as the cover strips shown in Figure 14 so that alternate groups of two cards each will be positioned in spaced slots 103 and 104' in which each may be guided as desired. By referring to Figure 18, it will be noted that the individual groups of two cards each will assume a spaced relation and will by virtue of the fact that the upper group will be moved off of the step which is the termination of the portion 107', be caused to assume a position in the same horizontal plane. At this point, by referring to Figure 9, it will be noted that the fingers 225 carried on the finger conveyor chain 224 will let go of the individual cards but only after the fingers 237 on the upper conveyor have assumed a position in contact behind the individual cards whereby they may be fed onto the cover strips positioned on the main conveyor. The fingers 137 on the upper or auxiliary conveyor are constructed to let go of the trailing edges of the match cards at a point where the match cards are in abutment with the end 265 of the cover plate 263 so that they are properly positioned. The match splints are held down in their proper position on the covers by the pivotal cover plate 267 which is provided with the necessary slots to permit the fingers 237 to pass therethrough.

\Vhen the main conveyor which receives the covers has received the match splints, the timing of the mechanism is such that the conveyor moves to the next station, during which movement the group of partially completed match books are introduced beneath the resiliently pressed bar 275, as shown in Figure 21, and further, during this movement the heads of the match splints are caused to contact the spring pressed plate 268 to effect any further movement toward the abutment stop that may be necessary. It will be noted that during this advance, the ends of the cover strip are held downwardly by spring fingers 27 6 positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor. The purpose of the spring pressed rod 275 is to place a drag on the splints to cause them to closely abut the trailing lug on the conveyor belt. This operation causes the splints to be properly centered on the cover strip in that the cover strip due to the drag fits in the undercut portion 49 on the lug as seen in Figure 5, and the splints abut against the projecting side of the lug, and the width of the shoulder provided by the undercut is constructed to produce the proper spacing at one edge to cause the splints to be properly centered.

During the continued advance of the conveyor, the ends of the cover strip pass from beneath the cover plates which overlie them as shown in Figure 21 and are caused to encounter curved guiding plates which fold them over in the manner shown in Figure 22, the longest end being folded first and the shorter end, on which is the marginal strip of friction material, is folded over in a manner to overlap the longest end. As the book advances, it is brought to a stationary position, as shown in Figure 22, with a portion at the base of the splints underlying the opening 281 in the cover plate 280. Im mediately above the opening 281 for each book of matches, the stitching machines are positioned and when so positioned, the synchronized driving effects a stapling action which ope-rates to complete the books in the form shown in .Figure 24. From this station on, the further advance of the conveyor operates to deflect the conveyor around the end pulley 146 which causes such a relative position of adjacent lugs on the conveyor belt that the book of matches, which is normally held from vertical movement, is permitted to slide tangentially from the undercut 49 of the holding lug under the influence of the deflecting arms 284 shown in Figure 3. At this time, the matches are caused to be deposited on a table or introduced into a stacking machine as desired. Attention is directed to the formation of the lugs carried on the conveyor belt, as shown in Figure 6, in that the angularly disposed upper surfaces are provided for the purpose of properly positioning the upper cover, the trailing end of which is caused to overlie and closely engage the step 51 provided therefor, the angular shape of the lug being generally that of a cross section of the completed match book.

During the entire operation, which employs an intermittent motion, the parts of the mechanism are held in a condition of absolute rest at the various stations by detent mechanism shown in Figure 3, and similar mechanism provided on the other drive shafts. In the event the main conveyor belt becomes slackened, the hand wheel 44, shown at the left hand side of Figure 2, may be turned to cause a movement of the end pulley wheel 40 to adjust the belt to the proper degree of tension.

The modified form of my invention shown in Figure 27 involves the idea of introducing the match book covers and cards beneath and between the lugs carried on the lower run of the belt. In this construction, the other mechanism is exactly the same except that the folding flanges for the cover deflect the strips downwardly and the stitching device will operate from below. The guide table for the match book covers and the guide table for the match cards will be flush with the top of the main frame and in a position to introduce the. covers and cards between the lugs.

I claim:

1. In a match book assembling machine, means for simultaneously cutting a strip of material at a plurality of locations to form a plurality of match book covers, and means for simultaneously feeding said cut covers onto a conveyor in spaced relation.

2. In a match book assembling machine, means for cutting a strip of material of a size sufiicient to form a predetermined number of match book covers. and means for cutting said strip into a plurality of match book covers and for placing said covers in spaced guides.

3. In a match book assembling machine, means for cutting a strip of material into a plurality of individual match book covers, and means effective during the cutting operation for causing alternate individual covers to be displaced whereby said covers are disposed in spaced relation.

4. In a match book assembling machine, a guide for receiving a plurality of individual match book covers, alternate covers of which are positioned in one plane and the remaining covers of which are positioned in a. plane parallel therewith and having their adjacent edges lying in the same plane perpendicular to said parallel planes, and means for conveying said covers through said guide, said guide causing said covers to move into a common plane in spaced relation.

In a match book assembling machine, a conveyor having match book cover positioning means thereon, a stop for determining the position of match cards on said covers, and means engaging said match cards for imposing a drag thereon during movement of said conveyor to cause said cards to abut said stop whereby said aids are centered on said covers.

6. In a match book assembling machine, a guide for receiving a plurality of individual match book covers, alternate covers being positioned in parallel planes in staggered elation with the space between covers in one. plane equal to the width of the covers, and means for conveying said covers through said guide, said guide being constructed to bring said coyers into the same plane and to spread them in spaced relation.

7. A guide for a plurality of pieces of material having guiding channels and means for conveying a piece of material through each channel, said channels being constructed to convey said pieces of material from a position where they are in a non-spaced relation in one direction and spaced in a second direction to a position where they are spaced in the first direction and non-spaced in the second direction.

8. In a match book assembling machine, means for forming a plurality of match book covers from a piece of cover material in a single operation and for introducing said individual covers in spaced relation onto a conveyor, and means for forming a plurality of match splint cards from a strip of match splints in a single operation and for introducing them onto said covers.

9. In amatch book assembling machine, means for forming a plurality of match book covers from a piece of cover material in a single operation and for introducing said individual covers in spaced relation onto a conveyor, means for forming a plurality of match splint cards from a strip of match splint-s in a single operation and for introducin g them onto said covers. and means for folding the covers about said cards successively and during movement through said machine.

10. In a match book assembling machine, a conveyor for match book covers and cards of match splints positioned on said covers, spaced lugs on said conveyor between which said covers and cards of splints are posit oned, said lugs having on one lateral surface longitudinally spaced surfaces, one for engaging said covers and one for engaging said cards of splints, and means for causing said covers and splints to closely engage the trailing lug whereby said covers and cards are properly spaced by said surfaces on said lug.

11. A conveyor for a match book assembling machine comprising an endless flexible member having spaced lugs thereon for receiving match book covers, said lugs having a portion fitting within the folded cover and having the shape of said folded cover whereby said portion aids in forming said folded cover during the folding operation.

12. In a match book assembling machine, a guide conveyor comprising a plate having diverging slots therethrough. moving fingers projecting through said slots, said fingers being carried on a member for longitudinal movement in said slots and capable of relative transverse displacement whereby said fingers may follow said diverging slots.

13. In a match book assembling machine. a guide conveyor comprising a plate having slots spaced a predetermined amount at one end and a greater amount at its other end, and fingers mounted for longitudinal movement in said slots and capable of relative transverse movement, and a cam guide positioned adjacent one end of said plate for determining the relative transverse position of said fingers whereby said fingers are caused to register with said slots at that end of said plate.

14. In a match book assembling machine. a conveyor for match book covers and cards of match splints positioned on said covers, spaced lugs on said conveyor between which said covers and cards of splints are positioned, and means engaging said splints for 

